> *However* distinguishing root and non-root users also in strict VM> overcommit would make a significant difference for general purpose> systems, this was always my point.> > Can you see the non-orthogonality now?

Nope, I still disagree and there is no point going back and forth.

We both agree that there are situations where both resource accounting(or some sort of root-protection like you want) and strict overcommit isrequired.

I contend there are situations where only one or the other is needed.

More importantly, I argue the two things should be kept separate. Putting some root safety net into strict accounting is a hack (how muchof a net? etc.). You want to keep users from ruining things - getper-user resource limits. You want to keep the machine fromovercommiting memory and thus not OOMing? Get strict accounting. Youwant both? Use both.